WEST INDIAN CHERRY (ചെറി )

                 INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

VOL. 15

 

                                                    

COMMON NAME:-   WEST INDIAN CHERRY

OTHER NAMES:      BARBADOS CHERRY,

                                                 native cherry,

                                       garden cherry,

                                       French cherry,

                                       acerola,

                                       cereza,

                                       cereza colorada,

                                       cereza de la sabana,

                                       grosella,

                                        shimarucu,

                                        malpi,

                                        cerisier,

                                        cerise de St. Domingue,

                                         cerejeira,

                                        semeruco.

BOTANIC NAME: - Malpighia punicifolia 

MALAYALAM NAME: - CHERRY .

             West Indian Cherries are native to West Indian Islands.

Cherry  plant is a large, bushy shrub  attaining up to 10 ft (3 m) in height , with more or less erect or spreading and drooping branches, and a short trunk to 4 in (10 cm) in diameter.

Its evergreen leaves are elliptic.

The flowers  are with 5 sepals, pink or lavender in colour, spoon-shaped and  fringed petals. 

The fruits, borne singly or in 2's or 3's in the leaf axils, cherry-like , bright-red, very juicy.

This miniature wonder fruit is is consumed whole or in juice form, it is packed with full of health benefiting nutrients and unique antioxidants  and has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries.

NUTRITIVE VALUE:-

The Nutritional composition* per 100g of edible portion of West indian cherry fruits :
Energy    59 Kcal,

Protein     0.68-1.8 g,

Carbohydrate      6.9-14g,
Vitamin A    408-1000 I.U.,
Vitamin B1    0.024-0.4 mg,
Vitamin B2  0.039-0.079 mg,
Vitamin B3   0.34-0.53 mg,
Vitamin C      1644 mg ,
 Iron    0.17 - 1.2 mg,
 Phosphorous  16.2 - 36mg,
 Calcium     8.2 - 34 mg ,      

Fibre          0.6 – 1.2 g

Fat        0.18 - 0.1g.

 
^{*Values reported from Asian and tropical American analyses.}

MEDICINAL VALUE:-

It is reported that “anthocyanins” found in cherries act like anti-inflammatory agents. It is effective in reducing heart disease risk factors.

It is also reported that cherries are help body to fight against cancers, aging, neurological diseases and pre-diabetes.

In Brazil fresh fruit is eaten as a natural remedy for fever and dysentery.

                                        

FOOD VALUE:-

The fruit is  widely consumed in fresh and also used  to flavor ice creams and drinks. The fruits are used in many commercial vitamins and nutritional products, mainly for their vitamin C content.

METHOD OF CULTIVATION:-

The plant is propagated by seeds.  The germination is usually low. Semi-hardwood cuttings, treated with growth-promoting hormones can also be used for cultivation.